smith



(No Model.) 2 SheetsSheet 1.

J. G. SMITH. TELEPHONE AND SIGNALING 0R CALLING SYSTEM. No. 593,819. Patented Nov. 16,1897.

G 144 M441 g X if; ATTORNEY m: scams PETERS co. Puo'ro4 |'mn.. WASHmu'mu, n. c.

2 SheetsSheet 2.

(No Model.)

J. G. SMITH. TELEPHONE AND SIGNALINGOR CALLING SYSTEM. No. 593,819.

Patented Nov IN VE N TOR 6 W/ TNESSES QM ATTORNEY UNITED STATES PATENT Er c's.

JAMES e. SMITH, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR, BY DIRECT AND MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO THE SMITH-VAS YORK.

SAR TELEPHONE COMPANY, OF NEW TELEPHONE AND SIGNALING OR CALLING SYSTEM.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 593,819, dated November 16, 1897.

Application filed April 4, 1895. Serial No. 544,401. (No modeL) To'aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that 1, JAMES G. SMITH, a citizen of the United States, residing in the city and county of New York, in the State oi New 5 York, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Telephone and Signaling or Calling Systems, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to that class of sigl naling or calling systems in which several stations are located on a circuit and wherein any station or subscriber can call or signal to any other desired station without calling the intervening stations. In this class of I systems heretofore in use as known to me the bells at each station were all out of circuit with the line, and each station on the circuit was provided with a step-by-step or clockwork mechanism all arranged to ,work

, zo synchronously and in unison, such mechanism when operated actingto place the signaling instrument at a station in circuit with the line and to then cut it out of circuit, and so on through all the stations successively until the desired station was reached, in

which latter station its step-by-step or clockwork mechanism would operate to place its bell in circuit with the line and leave it in that position, so that it could be operated'by the calling station or subscriber.

My present invention difiers from the abovementioned system in that all the stations on a line or circuit are in direct circuit with the call-bell or signaling instrument at one sta- 5 tion; also, in that no step-by-step or clock work mechanisms operating in unison are used; also, in that the call-bell or signaling 5 instrument at one station is normally in direct circuit With a line leading from the pre- 0 ceding station on the circuit, in which latter station the line is broken, (or does not directly lead .to the next preceding station,) and to permit two stations to communicate the line must be established between them 5 in one or more intermediate stations.

I In carrying out my invention I provide a series of stations on acircuit, and in each station is a signaling instrument connected with a wire normally leading to ground or to a return-wire. A wire normally leads from called.

one station to the call-bell at the next station, and in the first-mentioned station the circuit is normally broken or does not lead directly back to a preceding station. In each station are devices for completing the line from a station on one side of it to a station on the opposite side of it, so as to establish a line from one station through an intermediate station to another station, the said devices in anintermediate station being operated by a subscriber in a calling-station when he dosires to communicate with a station to be In thus establishing the circuit in said intermediate station to enable a callingstation to communicate with a called station the bell at the intermediate station is cut from the line, so that it will not be operated by the calling subscriber. I may, therefore, say that my system is sectional, because there is no normal director unbroken line running through all the stations for operating the several callbells on the circuit, but a section of the line passes from one station to the call-bell at the next station, with no electrical devices, such as push-buttons, in normal connection with such line at the first-mentioned station. The said sectional wire, which leads from one station to the call-bell at the next station, is arranged to be brought into circuit with another sectional wire at the first-mentioned 8o station by contacts operated directly by a device at that (the said first-mentioned) station, the operation of that device acting also to break the circuit of the bell at that station. The said sectional wire serves two purposes: first, that of connecting two sectional lines at one station to make a through line between stations on opposite sides of the firstmentioned station, and, second, the said sectional line, when thus connected to another 0 sectional line, serves to convey current to the bell at the called station from the callingstation. It will be understood also that suitable magnets and make-and-break devices are utilized at the several stations by which the operations above outlined can be performed, and that when the electrical devices in one station are operated to establish a line to the next station the devices in a station or stations beyond are not operated.

IOO

My improved system also utilizes two lines that pass or operate in one direction through all the stations on which are located the operating push-buttons or switches, one of said lines serving with said sectional line to establish a through line out of said sectional line from station to station and the other of said first-mentioned lines serving with said sectional line, when the latter is so establish ed as a through line, to enable a subscriber at one station to call or signal to a subscriber at another station. By this means a minimum of wire can be provided. In connection with this portion of myimproved system above set forth I provide a line or circuit passing through the stations, which line or circuit has suitably-arranged magnets adapted to operate the contacts that connect or join the portions of the sectional line to break the last-mentioned line (afterit has been established as a through line) and restore it as a sectional line, which magnets also serve to operate the contacts for the several bell-circuits to restore the circuit of each bell with its appropriate sectional line. Suitable batteries and devices are provided for energizing the magnets in said line at the proper time, said devices and batteries, by preference, being connected with the before-mentioned two parallel lines that pass through all the stations, as hereinafter set forth. The magnets of said through line are provided with shunts to cut out the magnets from the line after they have, as above stated, operated to restore the sectional line to its normal condition. The said through line is, by preference, divided or arranged to operate only a few of its magnets at one time, for which purpose the line is arranged to be broken, whereupon a ground is formed whereby the magnets on a portion only of the line will be operated at once, devices bein g arranged to reconnect the divided portions of the line as a series of magnets or stations are passed. For instance, between any five or ten stations (or other desired number) the line is arranged to be divided, so that only a limited number of its magnets need be operated at a time. Thus the stations on this line or circuit are divided into series, and the magnets of each series of stations are cut out or shunted as that series of stations is passed. At each sectional or divided point on the circuit are devices for breaking the line and forming a local ground, as well as for connecting the sections of the line together to form a through line from one series of stations to the next, and so on, provision also, by preference, being made to shunt the magnets of said section-joining devices from the line when a section of said line is to be passed, so that the current will not have to traverse said magnets.

I have also shown an improved arrangement for a telephone-circuit wherein circuitwires pass through the stat-ions and the telephone devices in each station are normally out of circuit with said wires, the devices being so arranged that a subscriber cannot place his telephone in circuit with the line without operating the call-bell in an other station; and, further, when the last-mentioned call-bell is operated the telephone in the calling-station is simultaneously placed in circuit with the telephone-wire. By this means a subscriber is prevented from trying to listen to a conversation on the line without immediately calling another subscriber who will naturally respond to see why he is called, and by answering back over the telephoneline will apprise other-subscribers who may be talking that some one is trying to listen. The advantages of this feature will be obvious. Provision is also made by which the telephone will be cut from the line when a subscriber has finished talking.

In connection with my improved system as above outlined I provide novel arrangements of magnets, batteries, circuits, and grounds for the purpose of operating the system with as few main lines, contact-points, &c., as possible, so that the system when in use will be as reliable as possible and require little attention.

The invention further consists in the novel details of improvement that will be more fully hereinafter set forth, and then pointed out in the claims.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, forming part hereof, wherein- Figure 1 is a diagram matic view illustrating my improved signaling and telephoning system complete, and Fig. 2 is a corresponding view showing a modified arrangement of parts and circuits for signaling from station to station.

In the accompanying drawings, in which similar numerals and letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the several views, the letters A B C D indicate stations on a circuit at each of which the appropriate devices, hereinafter set forth, are located.

The numeral 1 indicates a line-wire which passes through all the stations and serves, as hereinafter shown, as part of the circuit for the call-bells or signaling instruments for the stations on a circuit.

2 is a line-wire also passing through all the stations, like wire 1, and it serves as part of a circuit to establish electrical connection betweenany two stations for the bell at a called station while cutting out the bell or bells at an intermediate station or stations. The wire 1 includes a battery 3, and in the example illustrated enters the battery at the negative pole and passes out from the positive pole thereof and is connected to a wire 4:. The wire 2 likewise includes a battery 5 and, as shown, enters the battery at the positive pole and passes from the negative pole to the wire 4, the wires 1 and 2 being connected with wire at at 1. Thus when the circuit through wire 1 is closed a positive current is discharged through wire 4, and when the circuit through wire 2 is closed a negative current is sent over 6, the magnet of which is shown leading to ground 7 by wire7, which I prefer to using a return-wire; but of course thelatter could be providedinstead of the ground. The magnets of the call-bells are polarized, as for a positive current, so that the discharge from battery 3 when the circuit-wire 1 is closed will operate the desired bell. As stated, the wire 4 at stationA, or the first station on the circuit, leads from wire 1 to the corresponding bell 6, but does not lead directly to the bells of the other stations on the circuit. From each station, as A B O D, a wire 4 leads from a contact 4 to the bell at the next following station, as from A to B and'from B to G, &c. The contact 4" is adapted to make electrical engagement with a contact 4 on a wire 4, that leads to a contact 4 The contact 4 is adapted to engage an armature or contact 9, that is connected, by a wire 4 ,with a wire 4,as shown.

The parts above described are correspondingly arranged at each station. Th us when contacts 4 and 4 are in engagement, as. well as the contacts 4 and 9, at'a station, as A, the

bell-circuit will be established from A to B, directly to ground 7, through bell 6, at B, as follows: from 4 (at A) to 4, 9, 4, 4, 4', 4, and 4 (from A to B) to bell 6 and ground 7 at B.

The contact 4 is carried byan armature 10, from which it is insulated, and said armature also carries a contact 6 which is insulated from the contact 4, and is connected with the wire 4 in its station. The contact 6 is adapted to make and break engagement with a contact 6", which leads, by a Wire 69, to the so as to normally break the line from one stafor the bells is what I call sectional, because it is normally broken from station to 7 station and yet adapted to be established from station to station successively; but there is no normally complete line at this part passing through all the stations.

The armatures 10 are operated to break the bell-circuit in one station at 6 6 and establish it at 4 4 to the next station as follows: 12 12 indicate magnets which are located on the wires4at each station and adapted to attract the armatures 9, which latter, in Fig. 1, operate the armatures 10. As shown, the armatures 10 have extensions 10, upon which the armatures 9 may bear to turn armatures 10 on their pivots. The armatures 10 are dead or not controlled by springs or gravity, but remain in any position placed. The magnets 12 are in the example illustrated polarized to operate by a negative current when it is passed over the wire 4 from battery 5, and they are adapted to attract the armature 9 to temporarily break the circuit 4 4 at 4 while at the same time operating to break the bell-circuit at 6 and establish a through-circuit at 4 4 to the next station. The armature 9 also carries a contact 13, Which'is insulated from said armature and leads by a spur-wire 14 to one terminal of the I magnet 12. The contact 13, when the armature 9 is attracted by the magnet 12, is adapted to engage a contact15, that leads, by a wire 16, to ground, as 17. By this means when the magnet 12 at any station is energized and the ground 7 for Wire 4 is broken a new ground is established at 17, so as to prevent the current from passing through 4 and 4 to the station beyond until the proper time.

With the arrangement so far described if a party at one station desires to call another station he sends a negative impulse from battery 5 through line 4, which energizes the magnet 12 in the intervening station, which magnet attracts its armature 9, the latter operating armature 10 to cause the latter to break the bell-circuit at that (the intervening) station and establish connection with wire 4 at 4 4 to the next station. Armature 9, when attracted by magnet 12, as stated, also establishes the new ground 17 at 13 15 to ,keep the circuit temporarily broken at 9 4. The negative current being next broken from theline, as by removing the tinger from a push-button or operating a switch, allows the armature 9 to move back, which armature establishes the complete circuit at 9 4 and breaks the ground-circuit 17 at 13 15. The bell-circuit from one station to the next is thus established at station A from thejunction 1 of wires 1 and 2 with wire 4 to 4 through 9, 4, 4, 4", 4, and 4, and leads to' the next station, as B, the circuit being thus completed to the bell at B without operating devices in stations beyond. A second negative impulse sent over the line will operate the armatures 9 and 10 in said .next station B to make connection with the station beyond, 0, and so on, a negative impulse being sent for each station between a calling and a called station until the desired station is reached. A positive current now being sent from battery through the line so completed from station to station will energize the positive magnet in the instrument 6 at the station to be called, and thus give the desired signal. The through-line thus established from one station to another can be restored to the normal sectional condition,'as set forth hereinafter.

In order to send the proper pulsation through the line to make connection at 4!" at from one station to another, as well as to operate the signal device 6 at the desired station, suitable push-buttons or switches can be connected with the lines 1 and 2. I have shown a suitable arrangement for the purpose, as follows: At each station is a pushbutton 18, that is connected with the line 1, as by a wire 19, and with ground 20, as by wire 21, or the buttons 18 could be included in a return metallic circuit. The wire 2 is also connected by a wire 22 with a contact, as a, which leads to ground 20 or 20 or to said return metallic circuit. \Vhile this contact a may be a push-button to be operated 011cc for each station to be passed in reaching a desired station, I preferably provide a series of such contacts, as a b e (Z, one for each station on the circuit, said contacts being all 0011- nected together, as by the wire 22, which leads to wire 2. The contacts a b c (l, ($50., will be engaged by an arm 23, which is connected with ground, as 20, by wire 22, so that as arm 23 is turned, making contact with CL 1) c d, a suitable number of impulses will be sent over the line from battery 5 but of course any suitable arrangement for this purpose can be provided.

Means for restoring the bell-circuits 4., 1X70. to their normal sectional conditions are proprovided as follows: 25 is a line-wire passing through the stations, as shown, and preferably grounded at the end of the line farthest from A, (the first station,) the circuit through wire 25 being normally broken at station A. For this purpose the wire 25 is shown at A provided with a contact 26, adapted to be engaged by a spring-actin g armature 27,which leads, by a wire 28, through a battery 20 to ground 30, whereby when the armature 27 engages the contact 26 the wire 25 will be supplied with current to energize magnets 36 on wire 25, which thereupon attract their respective armatures 10 to restore the circuit in the several stations, as hereinafter shown.

For convenience in operating my system with as few wires as possible I have provided a double magnet 31 32 for armature 27, which must be energized by batteries 3 and 5 together in order to attract the armature 27, the spring 2" for said armature being of suffieient strength to resist the action of one battery 3 or 5. The coil 31 of the double magnet is connected with wire 1 and battery 3, while the coil is connected with wire 2 and battery 5, the wires 1 and 2 being also connected together at 1 at station A.

In Fig. 2, 33 is a push-button connected by wires 3t 35 with the wires 1 and 2, respectively, so that when the circuit is closed in said push-button 33 a local circuit is established through the double magnet to include the batteries 3 and 5. By preference, however, I utilize the arm 23 to close the circuit between wires 1 and 2, as shown in Fig. 1. In this figure wires 3% and 35 are shown connected with wires 19 and 22, respectively. IVire 3a is connected with a contact 34, adapted to be engaged by a switch 3%,which is connected by a wire 34: with a long contact 33, mounted on the board or box E, which latter carries the contacts a b c d, &c., and the rotative arm 23. The wire 35 is connected with a spring-acting contact 35, adapted to engage contact 33, but normally out of engagement therewith, the arm 23 being arranged when passing over the contact 35 to press it (contact 35) into engagement with contact 33, whereby the circuit will then be established from 2 through 22, 35, 35, 33, 34 34C", 34:", 3t, and 15) to wire 1. This takes place at the end of' movement of arm 23 over contacts a. Z) c (l, (KY/C. In order that arm 23 will also close the circuit between wires 1 and 2 as it starts to move over contacts a b e (Z, &e., to insure the normal positions of armatures 10 when starting to make a call, the contact 35 is connected by a wire 35 with a contact 35, (like 35%) also adapted to engage contact 33, but normally out of circuit with the latter. Thus when ar 23 starts to move from zero (0) it presses contact 35 into engagement with contact 33, whereupon the circuit will be from wire 1 to 19, S-t, 3' 1, 3%, 34:", 33", 35, 35, 35, 35, and 22 to wire 2.

The switch 3i" is for use when there are more stations on a circuit than there are c011- tacts a b c d. For instance, suppose there are two hundred stations on a circuit and only one hundred contacts a b c d, (be. To reach any station up to one hundred, the switch 349 will be left in engagement with contact 3t and arm 23 turned accordingly, and when arm 23 is first turned it will close circuit 35 33, &c., to connect wires 1 and 2 to operate armature 27 to close the circuit through wire 25, so as to assure that all the armatures 10 on the circuit shall be in their normal positions,as hereinafter shown. Arm 23 will continue to be turned, making engagement with all contacts a b c d, &c., until the desired contact is reachedsay 75 (the called station)during which movement of arm 23 the armatures 9 and 10 will operate one at a time and successively in all stations between the calling-station and the called station 75 to form a through line to the called station, as before stated; but should a station numbered more than one hundred be desired say No. 17 5the switch 34; will first be moved away from contact 34:" and then arm 23 will be given one complete turn, covering one hundred stations, and then continued to contact 75, (making one hundred and seventy-five in all,) whereupon connection will be made to station 175. Push-button 18 will then be operated to signal in station 175. Switch 34 will then be returned to contact 34*, and when arm 23 is returned to zero contact will be moved by said arm into engagement with contact 33 to close the circuit between wires 1 and 2 to operate the magnets on wire 25.

The circuit through wires 1 and 2 is completed as follows: in Fig.2, from 33 34 to 1 or from the above-described switching devices through 34 19 1 31 to battery 3, thence through 1 2, through battery 5 to coil 32, 2, 22-, and 35 to 33, &c., (or in Fig. 2 through 35 to 33.) Both batteries 3 and 5 now act on the coils of the double magnet 31 32 with sufficient force to attract the armature 27 and establish the circuit through wire 25 from ground 30. The contact at 33 or 35 35 is preferably made of long duration to insure the closing of wire 25 for a sufficient length of time for the purpose desired.

The wire 25 at each station on the circuit includes a magnet 36, which is adapted to attract the corresponding armature 10 to break the completed circuit 4 at .4 4 and reestablish. the circuit forthe corresponding bell 6 Shunts are provided around the magnets 36, which shunts are closed when the armatures '10 are in their normal positions. For this purpose said' armatures are shown connected by wires 37 with the wire 25, and said armatures are adapted to normally engage contacts 38, that lead by wires 39 to wire 25, the parts 37, 10, 38, and 39 forming the shunts around magnets 36. When a magnet 12 attracts its armature 9, and thus moves armature 10, the shunt around the corresponding magnet 36 will be broken, so that when the circuit in wire 25 is closed at 26 27 the magnet 36, whose shunt is broken, will be energized to attract its armature 10 to restore the latter to its normal position. The shunts around magnets 36 serve to reduce the size or amount of battery 29 that would be necessary were the circuit 25 directly and permanently maintained through the magnets 36.

To further reduce the requirements of the battery 29, I preferably arrange the line 25 to be divided or broken into sections, these sections including a number of stations in a series, say five or ten. In the example shown there are three stations in a series (A B 0) included in a section of wire 25, which is for simplicity of illustration. The sect-ions of wire 25 are normally connected together, and

. are broken or separated and a ground prowire 37 leads from armature 10 to wire 25 at -a point to normally shunt magnet 40 from wire 25. In the example shown in Fig. 1 the contact 43 (when armature 10 in the first station of a certain series of stations, as D, is operated by the magnet 12 at that station) is adapted to engage a contact 45, which leads by wire 46 to ground at 47 to establish a ground for the corresponding section of line-wire 25. When the parts are all in their normal positions and the circuit through wire 25 is closed at 26 27, the circuit will be directly through wire 25, shunting magnet 40; but if armature 10 at the first station of a second series, as D, has been operated in reaching a station beyond it the wire 25 will find ground at 47, through 40, 41, 42, 43, 43 45, and 46, for the first series of stations, whereby all magnets 36 on said section of wire 25 that is grounded, as stated, 'will attract their respective armatures 10 to cause the latter to break the line 4 into its normal sectional condition and restore the ground-circuits for the bells, and also restore the shunts around said magnets 36. At the same time magnet 40 will be energized and attract its armature 41 to break ground 47 at 42. Armature 41, which is normally connected with wire 25, is thus brought into engagement with a contact 48, connected by a wire 48 with the next section of wire 25, leading through the magnet 36 at D, and through wire 25 for the second series of stations, &c., the line 25 being thus reestablished to the second series of stations. If armature 10 in the first station of the third series of stations on wire 25 has been operated, the same action will take place there to restore all armatures 10 in the second series of stations, and so on through all the series of stations on wire 25, as the case may be, operating only a few magnets 36 at a time. Thus all the magnets 36 in a series of stations on a section of wire 25 are shunted from the line as the series of stations is passed, so that the current will not have to traverse them to reach a station or stations beyond, the only magnet then being in circuit with wire 25 being magnet 40.

To prevent the current from continuing to traverse'a magnet or magnets 40 when any armature 10 in a station or stations beyond a section of wire 25 has been operated, as well as in the normal condition of line 25, I provide for shunting the magnet or magnets 40 from the wire 25. This may be done as follows, (see Fig. 1:) From the wire 25 in advance of magnet 40, or the inlet-terminal of the magnet 40, the wire 37 extends to armature 10 at the first station of a series, as D, the normal circuit then being from 25, around magnet 40, through wire 37 at D, to armature 10, to 38 and 39, to 25 again, thereby forming a normal shunt'around both magnets 40 and 36 at the first station of each series on the sectional line beyond station A. Thus, as above outlined, the normal circuit of wire 25 is directly through all the stations,'shunting the magnets 36 and 40, but when an armature 10 at the first station of a series has been operated in reaching stations beyond it said line is broken at that point and a new ground formed at 45 47 to permit the magnets 36 on a section of wire to act to close their shunts, the magnet then attracting its armature 41 to establish the line 25 at 41 48 through wire 48 and magnet 36, so that magnet 36 of the first station of the next series can operate its armature 10 to reestablish the shunt 37 10 39 to shunt magnets 40 and 36 from wire 25, and so on through circuit 25 as any stations are passed whose armatures 10 may have been operated in selecting the station desired. Thus the current from battery 29 is only required to operate a few magnets 36 at a time, although a large number may be in line to be operated. By this means I am enabled to use a smaller battery than would be required were all of the magnets 36 and 40 left in the line to be operated simultaneously. In Fig. 2, instead of the shunt around magnets 36 and 40 being broken through wire 35) at 38, the wire 37 has a contact37 in normal engagement with the armature 10, and when said armature is operated the shunt is broken at 37, the line 25 being reestablished at 41 48 through 48 to 25, when armature 41 is operated by magnet 40.

In connection with the calling or signaling system Ihave provided a telephonecircuit, with a suitable telephone instrument in each station. In this connection I have arranged the telephones so that they will be normally out of circuit with the telephone-line leading through the stations on a circuit, arrange ments being provided so that when a station is called its telephone will be placed in circuit with the line, and at the same time the operation of calling will also place the telephone at the calling-station in the circuit, whereby the calling and called stations are putin communication, this operation affecting the telephones at no other stations on the circuit. In order to carry out this idea, the following arrangement is shown:

52 and 53 are telephone line-wires leading through the stations on' a circuit, and 54 and 55 are spur-wires at each station leading from the telephone-wires 52 53, respectively, which may be arranged on the circuit in well-known manner. The spur-circuit 54 55 is normally broken in each station, and in order to close said circuit when astation is calling or called the wire 54 is shown connected with a contact or armature 56, that is adapted to engage a contact 57, connected with wire 55. \Vhen contact or armature 56 engages contact 57, the circuit through the telephone at that station will be closed to enable said instrument to operate. It is designed that the armature 56 will be operated to close the circuit 54 55 in a station to be called only when a signaling instrument in such station has been or is being operated, and for this purpose the wire '7 for the bell 6 is provided with a magnet 58, adapted to attract armature 56 when the bell at one station is operated from another station.

In order that the telephone at the callingsubscribers station will be placed in circuit with the line-wires 52 53 only when he sig nals to another station, the magnet 58 has a second coil 58, connected with wire 21 of push-button 18, the coil 58 also acting on contact or armature 56 to close the telephonecircuit at 56 57. Thus when a calling subscriber closes his button 18 to signal to a called subscriber the coil 58 in the calling-station will attract its armature 56 to close the circuit for the telephone in the calling-station, and the coil 58 in the called station will likewise operate its armature 56 to close the circuit for the telephone in its station. Thus a calling subscriber places his telephone and the called-subscribefls telephone in circuit when he rings the latters hell 6.

IVhen theyhave finished talking, each subscriber breaks his telephone-circuit, which may be done as follows: The armaturcs 56, which are dead armatures, have magnets 60, which, when energized, attract their respective armatures 56 to break the telephoneeircuits at 56 57. For this purpose I have shown a local circuit 61 for each magnet 60, having a battery 62 and a switch 63 to make and break thelocal circuits. In the normal positions the circuits 61 are open and contacts 56 57 disengaged. After armature or contact 56 has closed the telephone-circuit and the talking has ceased the respective switches 63 are turned to close the local circuits 61, whereupon magnets attract the armatures 56 and break the telephone-circuits, the local circuits 61 being thereupon again broken and left so.

-Thc complete operation of my improved system is as follows: If any subscriber on a circuit desires to call station A or the first station on the circuit, it is only necessary for him to close the circuit through line 1 at push-button 18, when a positive current will pass from battery 3 through wire 4 at A by way of contacts 6 6 and wire 6 to the belt 6 and ground 7, whereupon a signal at 6 in station A will be given, while at the same time the contacts 56 in the calling and called stations will be attracted by their respective coils 58 and 58 to place the respective telephones in circuit with the telephone-wires. Should it be desired to signal to station B or any other station on the circuit beyond A, the bell 6 at the intermediate station or stations must be cut from the line and the sectional line through 4 from one station to another must be established as a through line from the calling to the called station. For this purpose one or more impulses are sent along the line from battery 5, according to the number of intermediate stations, whereby a negative current is discharged. Thus if station 15 is desired the switch-arm 23 will be turned to engage contact a in the callingstation. Thenmagnet 12 at station A, now

4 9, also operating the corresponding arma- -ture 10. This movement of armature breaks the bell-circuit, at station A, at 6 6 and also breaks the shunt aroundmagnet 36 at 38 10 and establishes the circuit at 4 4 between the wire 4 at A and the line 4, which leads to the bell at B, the complete circuit for wire 4 to the next station being still broken at 4 9 in station A. When armature 9 is thus attracted, it establishes the new ground 17 for magnet 12 by the closing of contacts 13 15, so that notwithstanding that the circuit to ground 7 is broken at 6 6 armature 9 will not return until the proper time. The circuit M23 is next broken by a continued movement of arm 23 away from contact a, and armature 9 moves back to complete the circuit through line 4 at 9 4 in station A. Thus a throughline is established from A to B without operating any circuitchanging devices beyond A. To signal to station 13, now,'it is only necessary to push button 18in the calling-station, whereupon a positive current will be discharged from battery 3, following the circuit from 1, 1, and 4 to 4, 9, 4, 4", 4 and 4, at station A, to 4, leading to station E, thence, withoutenergizing magnet 12 at B, because it is negatively polarized, to 6 6"- 6, through bell-magnet 6 to ground 7 at B, thereby giving the signal, while at the same time the telephones at the calling and called stations are placed in circuit with their wires 52 53,as before eXplainedl Should any stations beyond B be desired, the switch-arm23 is turned to the appropriate number, thereby sending a negative impulse through the circuit for each intermediate station between the calling and the called station without operating the devices in the called station or a station beyond. Thus eachtime the devices in an intermediate station are 0perated the bell at the intermediate station is cut from circuit with its wire 4, and the sectional circuit is established at that station as a through circuit to the next station, and so on till the desired station is reached. When the devices in station D are operated (or the first station beyond a series of stations on a section of the wire 25) to reach a station or stations beyond, the armature 10 at D, in addition to breaking the bell-circuit and establishing the circuit through wire 4 to the next station, also establishes the new ground 47 at in Fig. l (or from 33 in Fig. 2)'through 34 19 1, coil 31,(of the double magnet,) battery 3 to 1 2, battery 5, coil 32, line 2,and wire 38 back to the switch-box or to 33, thereby en ergizing both magnet-coils 31 32 and attracting armature 27, which closes the circuit for line 25 to include its battery 29. Line 25 now being charged, energizes its magnet 36 at station A, which was described as the first one operated. This magnet 36 now attracts its armature 10,which restores the bell-circuit at 6 and6 and the shunt around magnet 36 at 38 1O, breaking the circuit of wire 4 at 4 4 in station A, leaving the line to be again used, as before described. Likewise if the other stations on the first section of wire 25 had been operated the several magnets 36 would have operated their armatures 10 to restore thecircuits in all of said stations simultaneously to their normal conditions; but if the devices at station D (or the first station on the second section of wire 25) had been operated in reaching a station or stations beyond D the wire 25 would have found ground for its first section at 47 through 43 45, and none but the magnets 36 on the first section of wire 25 would have been operated until magnet 40 had attracted its armature 41. Thereupon armature 41 would close line 25 at 41 48, join ing the two sections together, whereby magnet 36 at station D of the second section of wire 25 (and any othermagnets 36 on the second section of wire 25 whose shunts are broken) will operate to attract its (or their) armature 10. This movement of armature 10 at D breaks the ground 47 at 43 45 and restores the shunt aroundmagnet 36 in station D at 38 10, thus shunting both magnets 36 and 40, leaving a through line to the next section of wire 25, and so on. Thus as each section of wire 25 is passed only the magnets 36 on that section are operated at once, and as soonas that is done the next section upon which any stations have been operated are joined in the line, and so on. By this means only a limited number of magnets 36 will use the current from battery 29 at once.

It will be understood from the foregoing description that the call bell and circuitchanging devices in each station are normally wholly separated from the next, but that each station can be connected with the next, the devices operating one at a time and successively to break the call-bell circuit and establish'a through line at each station operated and that one station is reached without operating the circuit-changing devices in any sta tion beyond.

In the modification shown in Fig. 2 the operation is substantially the same as in Fig. 1; but instead ofhaving the armature 9 act directly on armature 10 the line 4 is provided with amagnet 11, polarized for a negative current, like magnet 12, and is arranged to directly attract armature 1O simultaneously with the operation of magnet 12 on armature 9. In this case wire 4 leads from armature 9 to wire it outside of magnet 11, so that the current when passing through one station to another station (after the connection at a I and 9 45 has been established) need not traverse magnet 11. In this case when the negative current first reaches a station it passes through wire aland through both magnets 11 and 12 to ground 7. Both magnets are then energized and attract their armatures 9 10, breaking the bell-circuit at (5, establishing the through circuit to the next station at 4: at, and when the magnets are deenergized the armature 9 moves back to complete the through circuit to the next station at 9 t. In Fig. 2 also the shunt-wire 37 at station D is not permanently connected with the armature 10, but leads to contact 37, which normally engages armature 10 at station D, or the first station of a series on wire 25. hen armature 10 at D is attracted by its magnet 11, the shunt through 37 is broken at 37, and a ground is established from all through I? 43 i3 45 at to ground 1L7.

It will be evident that the arrangement of contacts, armatures, magnets, wires, shunts, &c., can be altered without departing from the spirit of my invention, the arrangement being shown in diagram to more clearly illustrate the features of my improved system.

I claim as my invention- 1. A signaling system comprising a plural ity of stations, a circuit for said stations divided into sections in each station, and electrically-operating devices in each station arranged to be operated directly from any of the stations for connecting two sections of said circuit together to establish a through line between any two of said stations, substantially as set forth.

2. In an electrical signaling system, a plurality of stations, a wire from each station to another,electrically-operating devices in each station, and means in each station foroperating said devices in any other station for connecting two of said wires in a station together to establish a through line between any two stations, to permit a current from a callingstation to be sent over the wires so connected as a through line, to operate a signaling instrument at a desired station located on said wire, substantially as set forth.

3. In an electrical signaling system, a plurality of stations, a wire from each station to another,electrically-operatin g devices in each station, and means in each station for operating said devices in any other station for connecting two of said wires in a station together to form a through line between two stations, a separate circuit passing through said stations and connected with the first-mentioned wire in one station, and means in each station on said separate circuit arranged to opcrate the circuit-changing devices, and other means in each station to operate a signaling instrument in a called station after the two wires between two stations have been so connected together as a through line, substantially as set forth.

4:. A signaling system comprising a plurality of stations, a signaling instrument in each station, a plurality of wires, each of which respectively leads from one station to the signaling instrument in another station, and eleetrieally-operating devices in each station, comprisinga magnet and armature,connected with the respective wire leading to their station arranged to act by a single impulse to connect two of said wires together to form a through line between a calling and a called station, substantially as set forth.

5. A signaling system comprising a plurality of stations, a signaling instrument in each station, a plurality of wires which lead successively from one station to the signaling instrument in the next station, electrically-operating devices in each station arranged to operate one at a time and successively to suecessively connect two of said wires together to form a through line between two stations without operating the wire-connecting devices in stations beyond, a separate circuit leading through said stations and having electrical devices for operating the firstmentioned electrical devices to establish a through line between two stations, and means in each station for operating the signalinginstrument in the called station, substantially as set forth.

(3. A signaling or calling system comprising a plurality of stations, signaling instruments at each station, a wire leading from each station to and through the signaling instrument at the next station, and electrically-operatin g devices in each station for breaking connec tion between the corresponding signaling instrument and its wire in one station, and for thereupon establishing connection between the wires from stations on opposite sides of said station to form a through line to the signaling instrument in the called station, substantially as set forth.

7. A signaling system comprising a plurality of stations, signaling instruments in each station, a wire in a station disconnected from the signaling instrument in that station and leading to and through the signaling instrument in the next station, electrically-operating circuit-changing devices in each station connected with the respective separate wire that leads into that station for breaking the circuit of the signaling instrument from said wire and for connecting the wires leading to and from two stations on opposite sides of it, to form a line from one station through an intermediate station to another station, a separate circuit passing through all the stations and connected with the first-mentioned wire in one station, and means in each station on said separate circuit for sending an impulse to the circuit-changing devices to operate them successively as desired, substantially as set forth.

8. A signaling system comprising a plurality of stations, a signaling instrument in each station, a plurality of wires each normally leading from one station to and through the signaling instrument in the next station, said wires being normally disconnected, in each passing through said stations, and devices at each station on the second-mentioned wire to operate the said magnets to form a through line, substantially asset forth.

9. A signaling system comprising a plurality of stations, a signaling instrument in each station, a separate wire leading from each station to and through the signaling instrument in the next station, a branch wire in each station, and electrically-operating devices in each station for connecting said branch wire in any station with the wires leading to and from its station, to establish a through line from a calling to a called station through said branch wire and for breaking the connections of the signaling instrument from its wire in stations between a calling and a called station, so that the corresponding signaling instrument will not be operated when its wire is connected with the branch wire, substantiallyas set forth.

10. A signaling system comprising a plurality of stations, a signaling instrument in each station, a wire leading from each station to and through the signaling instrument in the next station, and so on throughout the series of stations, a movable contact in each station to break the circuit of the signaling instrument with its wire, a branch wire in each station normally in connection with the wire leading into its station, a movable contact in each station arranged to establish connection between said branch wire and the wire that leads from its station, electrically-operating devices in each station for actuating the corresponding movable contacts to break the signaling instrument from its line and establish a through line through thebranch wire, and a circuit passing through said stations having devices for operating said contacts, as and for the purposes specified.

11. A signaling system comprisingaplurality of stations, a signaling instrument in each station, a wire leading from each station normally to and through the signaling instrument in the next station, electrically-operating devices in each station located on the respective wire leading thereto, and arranged to connect two of said wires in a station together, between acalling and a called station,

line out of said separate wires directly to the signaling instrument in a called station without operating any devices in the latter station, a circuit leading through all the stations and connected with the first-mentioned wire in one station, means on said separate circuit for sending an impulse to any number of stations, for operating their respective electrical devices, to connect two wires together, and means in each station for operating the signaling instrument in a called station after a through line is so established thereto without operating any signaling instruments between a calling and a called station, substantially as set forth.

12. A signaling system comprising a plurality of stations, a signaling instrument in each station, a wire leading from each station to the signaling instrument in the next station, and so on throughout the series of stations, a movable contact 6 in each station to break the circuit of the signaling instrument with its wire, a contact 4 connected with the wire in each station that leads to the next station, a branch wire in each station to be connected with said contact 4:, a contact 4 on said branch wire to connect with said contact 4, another movable contact 9 in each station connected to the wire that leads to the signaling instrument in that station and also normally in electrical connectionwith said branch wire, and electrically-operating devices to operate said contacts 4, 6, to break the signaling-instrument circuit in any station and establish a through line between two or more'stations through the branch Wire in an intermediate station, substantially as set forth.

13. Asignaling system comprising a plurality of stations, a signaling instrument in each station, a wire'leading from one station to the signaling instrument in the next station, a contact in the circuit, an armature or bar to operate said contact to break said circuit through said instrument, another movable contact in each station engaged with the wire that leads to the next station, a branch wire in each station to connect with the last-mentioned contact when one ofthem is operated, another contact connected with the branch wire, an armature or contact to engage the second-mentioned contact on said branch Wire, said armature or contact being connected with the wire that leads into a station, a magnet on said wire to operate said armature to break its connection with said branch wire, and means for operating the first-mentioned contact to break the circuit through a signaling instrument and to establish a through line between a'calling and a called station, substantially as set forth.

14. A signaling system comprising a plurality of stations, a signaling instrument in each station, a wire leading from one station to the signaling instrument in the next station, a

contact in the circuit, an armature or bar to operate said contact to break said circuit through said instrument, and another movable contact in each station engaged with the wire that leads to the next station, a branch wire in each station to connect with the lastmentioned contact when one of them is operated, another contact connected with said branch wire, an armature or contact to engage the second-mentioned contact on said branch wire,said armature or contact being connected with the wire that leads into a preceding station, a contact 13 carried by said armature, a wire and contact leading to ground, a magnet, a wire 14 connecting said magnet or its wire with the contact 13, and means for operating the appropriate contacts to break the circuit through a signaling instrument and to establish a through line between a calling and a called station, substantially as set forth.

15. A signaling system comprising aplurality of stations, a signaling instrument in each station, a wire leading from one station to the signaling instrument in the next station, a contact in the circuit to said signaling instrument, a contact in' each station engaged with the wire that leads to the next station, an armature or bar connected with each contact to operate them, a branch wire in each station having a contact to engage the second-mentioned contact,another contact on said branch wire, an armature or contact engaging said last-mentioned contact, said armature or c011- tact leading to the wire that passes into its station, a magnet on said wire to operate said armature, means to establish a ground for said magnet when its armature is attracted, means for operating the first-mentioned armature by the second-mentioned armature, and a magnet to operate the first-mentioned armature to restore the circuit of the signaling instrument and to break the circuit through the branch wire, substantially as set forth.

16. A signaling system comprising a pluralityof stations, a signaling instrument in each station, a circuit for said stations divided into sections at said stations, devices in each I station arranged to break the circuit of its signaling instrument and to join the sections of said circuit into a through circuit in each station,a magnet in each station to restore the circuit of the signaling instrument and break the main circuitinto sections,a circuit forsaid magnets, and a shunt around each magnet arranged to be broken when the corresponding signaling-instrument circuit is broken and to be restored when the signaling-instrument circuit is restored.

17. A signaling system comprising a plurality of stations, signaling instruments in each station, a circuit for said stations divided into sections in said stations, each section being normally in circuit with a signaling instrument in a station, means in each station for breaking the circuit of its signaling instrument and for establishing a complete line through that station to the signaling instrument at the next station, another circuit for said stations, magnets on said circuit to restore the signaling-instrument circuits and to break the first-mentioned line into sections, the second-mentioned circuit being divided, between certain series of stations, into a section, and means at one station of a series to establish a complete line between two series of stations, substantially as set forth.

18. A signaling system comprising a plurality of stations, signaling instruments in said stations, a circuit for said stations divided into sections in said stations, the section of said circuit in each station leading to the signaling instrument in its station, an armature or bar to operate a contact to make and break the circuit of the respective signaling instrument, another contact operated by said armature or bar to establish a through line out of said sections of said circuit, and a magnet in each station to operate the respective armatures or bars, another circuit passing through said stations, magnets 36 in said stations on said circuit arranged to operate said armatures or bars to restore the signaling-instrument circuits and break the first-mentioned circuit into sections, shunts around said magnets 36 including their armatures therein, and contacts leading to the circuit of said magnets 36 and arranged to form the shunts around said magnets by engagement with their armatures.

19. A signaling system comprising a plurality of stations, signaling instruments in said stations, a circuit for said stations divided into sections in said stations, each section leading to the signaling instrument in the respective station, contacts arranged to break the circuits of said signaling instruments and to form the sections of said circuit into a through line between stations, magnets and armatures to actuate said contacts, another circuit 25 for said stations, magnets 36 in said circuit, shunts around said magnets 36 arranged to be broken by said armatures, a ground forsaid circuit at one station arranged to be formed by the operation of said armature at the first station of a series to permit the magnets 36 of a series to be operated, and electrically-operating devices at said first station of a series of stations arranged to break said ground and restore the circuit 25 asa through circuit through a second series of stations.

20. Asignalingsystem comprisingaplurality of stations, signaling instruments in said stations, a circuit for said stations divided into sections in said stations, each section leading to the signaling instrument in the respective station and from another station, contacts arranged to break the circuits of said signaling instruments and to form the sections of said circuit into a through line between stations, magnets and armatures to actuate said contacts, another circuit 25, for said stations, magnets 36 in said circuit, shunts around said magnets 36 arranged to be broken by said armatures, a ground for said circuit at one station arranged to be formed by the operation of said armature at the first station of a se- IIS ries of stations to permit the magnets 36 of a series to be operated, a magnet 40 on the circuit 25 at the first station of a series of stations, an armature for said magnet 40 arranged to form the circuit for said ground and to break said ground when operated, and a contact 48, leading to a magnet 36 of said first series of stations, arranged to connect the circuit 25 through said magnet 36 when the armature of the magnet 40 is operated, to operate said magnet 36 to restore the line 25 as a through circuit.

21. A signaling system comprising a plural ity of stations, signaling instruments in said stations, a circuit for said stations divided into sections in said stations, each section leading .of a series of stations, an armature for said magnet, a branch wire 43 having a contact 42 normally engaging said armature,said branch wire leading to a contact 43 operated by the corresponding magnet 36, a contact 45 to be engaged by the contact 43 and leading to ground, the main circuit leading around the corresponding magnets 36 and 40, a contact 48 to be engaged by the armature of the magn et 40, and a wire leading from the contact 48 to the corresponding magnet 36, whereby when the contact 43 is operated a ground will be formed for thecircuit 25 to energize magnet 40 and the magnets 36 of a preceding series of stations, the magnet 40 operating its armature to cause the restoration of the circuit 25 in the corresponding station.

22. A circuit 25, magnets 36 and 40 connecte'd'therewith and having a normal shunt, an armature 41 leading to wire 25, a contact 42, a wire 43 leading therefrom to a contact 43 to be operated by magnet 36, a contact45,

' leading to ground, to be engaged by contact 43 to establish a ground for wire 25, means to operate contact 43 to establish said ground,

.said ground at 43, 45, and reestablish a through circuit in wire 25.

23. A circuit having a magnet, an armature therefor,-another circuit having a magnet 36,

ture 10 to restore the circuits to their normal conditions, substantially as set forth.- a

24. A circuit having a magnet, an armature 9 therefor, a contact in said circuit, an armature 10 to operate said contact to break said circuit, the armature 10 being arranged to be operated by the armature 9, another circuit, a magnet 36 therein to operate the armature 10 to restore the first-mentioned circuit, and a shunt around the magnet 36, the circuit through which shunt is made and broken by said armature 10, substantially as set forth.

25. A circuit having a magnet 12, an armature 9 therefor, a contact 13 to be operated by said armature, a contact leading to ground to be engaged by the contact 13 to establish a ground for the magnet 12, an armature 10 arranged to be operated by the armature 9, a contact to be operated by the armature 10 to break said circuit, another circuit having a magnet36 to operate said contact to restore said circuit, and a shunt around the magnet '36 to be made and broken by the armature 10.

26. A circuit having a signaling instrument whose magnet is polarized, circuit-changing devices on said circuit arranged to cut the signaling instrument from the circuit and having a magnet which is polarized oppositely to the first-mentioned magnet, two batteries connected with said circuit by poles of opposite polarity, means to discharge a current from one battery to the magnet of the signaling instrument, and means to discharge a current of opposite polarity from the other battery to the other magnet on said circuit, to operate but one of such magnets at a time, so that when the magnet of the circuit-changing devices is energized the magnet of the signaling instrument will not be affected, and vice versa.

27. Asignaling system comprising a plurality of stations, a circuit for said stations, a signaling instrument in each station having a polarized magnet, circuit-changing devices in said stations to break the circuit through the signaling instruments and to establish a through line between stations desired, ma nets to operate said circuit-changing devices, said magnets being polarized oppositely to the magnets of the signaling instruments, two batteries connected by opposite poles to said circuit and arranged to discharge currents of opposite polarity respectively to the magnet of the signaling instrument and to the magnet of the circuit-changing devices.

28. A signaling system comprisinga plurality of stations, a circuit divided into sections in each station, a signaling instrument in each station connected with the section of said circuit that leads from another station, the magnet in said signaling instrument being polarized, circuit-changing devices in each station arranged to break the circuit of the corresponding signaling instrument and to establish a through line out ofsaid sectional line, said circuit-changing devices each having a magnet of opposite polarity to the polarity of the magnet of the signaling instrument, and two batteries connected with said circuit, one being arranged to discharge a current of like polarity to that of the magnet of the circuitchanging devices to cause the latter to operate, the other battery being arranged to discharge a current of opposite polarity to operate the signaling instruments.

29. A normally open circuit having a battery and means to close the circuit, combined with another circuit having a double magnet to operate said circuit-closing devices when both coils are energized, a battery connected with each of said coils and means for simultaneously discharging the currents from said batteries through the corresponding coils to operate said circuit-closing devices, substantially as set forth.

30. A normally open circuit having a battery and means to close the circuit, combined with a double magnet to close said circuit, a wire connected with one coil of said magnet, a battery on said wire, a wire connected with the other coil of the magnet, said wires being connected together at one part, and means for closing the circuit through said wires to operate both of said coils simultaneously to close the first-mentioned circuit, substantially as set forth.

31. A magnet having two coils, a circuit leading to and from one of said coils, thence to one pole of a battery, thence to the opposite pole of another battery, thence from the opposite pole of said battery through the other of said coils, and means for closing said circuit to discharge the currents from said batteries through their corresponding coils, substantially as set forth.

32. A signaling system comprisingaplurality of stations, a signaling instrumentin each station, a circuit for said stations having branch connections in each station, circuitchanging devices in each station to on t out the corresponding signaling instrument, and to connect up the branch connections to establish a through line to the signaling instrument in the next station, a normally open circuit for said stations having a battery, a magnet in each station on said open circuit, an armature, a contact to be operated thereby to restore the branch connection of the corresponding signaling instruments, and means in each station adapted to cause the closing of said open circuit to energize the magnet thereon in any other station, substantially as set forth.

33. A signaling system comprising a plurality of stations, a signaling instrument in each station, a circuit for said instruments divided into sectionsin each station,each section leading from one station to the signaling instrument in the next station, circuit-changing devices in each station arranged to break the circuit of its signaling instrument and to establish a through line out of the corresponding sections of said circuit, a normally open circuit for said stations having a battery, a magnet in each station on said open circuit to restore the circuit of the corresponding signaling instrument and to break the firstmentioned circuit into sections, and means in each station to cause the closing of said open circuit to energize its magnets, substantially as set forth.

31L. A-signalingsystem,comprisingaplurality of stations, a signaling instrument in each station, a circuit for said instruments divided into sections in each station,each section leading from one station to the signaling instrument in the next station, circuit-changing devices in each station arranged to break the circuit of its signaling instrument and to establish a through line out of sections of said circuit, and a normally open circuit for said stations having a battery, a magnet in each station on said open circuit to restore the circuit of the corresponding signaling instrument and to break the first-mentioned circuit into sections, a wire passing through said stations and connected with the first-mentioned circuit to operate the signaling instruments, another wire passing through said stations and included in the circuit of the circuitchanging devices to operate said circuitchanging devices, a magnet and batteries on said two wires, and circuit-closing devices in the open wire adapted to be operated by said magnet when the said two wires are joined to form a metallic circuit, substantially as set fOlth.

35. Asignaling system comprising a plurality of stations, signaling instruments and circuit-changing devices in said stations, said circuit-changing devices being arranged to cut theircorrespondingsignalinginstruments from their circuit and to establish electrical connection between stations, a circuit forsaid stations divided into sections between stations, and on which sections said signaling instruments are respectively located, said circuit having a wire 1 and battery 3 to operate said signaling instruments, another circuit on which said circuit-changing devices are located, said circuit having a wire 2 and a bat tery 5, the latter serving to operate said circuit-changing devices, all the signaling instruments being normally in circuit with the respective sections of their line so thatwhen one of said instruments is cut from its line the next will be in condition to be operated directly without changing its circuit, substantially as set forth.

36. A signaling system comprisinga plurality of stations, signaling instruments and circuit-changing devices in said stations, a circuit for said stations on which said signaling instruments are located, a circuit on which said circuit-changing devices are located, and a battery for each circuit, said circuits having a portion in common, said circuits and batteries being so arranged as to operate the circuit-changing devices or the signaling incuit for said stations on which said signaling instruments are located, a circuit on which said circuit-changing devices are located, and a battery for each circuit, said circuits having a portion in common, said batteries being located on that portion of each circuit that is not common to both, said batteries being adapted to discharge currents of opposite polarity to their respective signaling instruments and the circuit-changing devices, substantially as set forth.

38. A telephone-circuit having telephone instruments normally out of circuit therewith, and another independent circuit having electrically-ope'rating devices arranged to be operatedfrom either station on the circuit to any other station on the circuit to place the telephones in circuit with their line, and signaling instruments also on said independent circuit, all so arranged that when an impulse is sent over said independent circuit it will actuate the signaling instrument in a called station and also the devices for placing the telephone in circuit with its line in said called station, substantially as set forth.

39. A telephone-circuit having normally open branch wires, and telephone instruments on said branch wires, and another circuit having signaling instruments and also electrically-operating devices to close the circuits of the branch wires, all being so arranged that when an impulse is sent over the circuit it will operate the signaling instrument in a called station, and also operatethe devices for placing the telephone instruments in circuit with the telephone-lines in both the calling and the called stations substantially as set forth.

40. A telephone-circuit having two Wires and a plurality of telephone instruments normally out of circuit therewith, and another circuit having electrically-operating devices so arranged that when a current is passed along said circuit it will operate said. electrically-operating devices in two stations to close the circuit of two of said telephone instruments with said two wires to place the telephones in any two stations in communication through a metallic circuit, substantially as set forth.

41. A telephone-circuit having a plurality of telephone instruments normally out of circuit therewith, circuit-closin g devices to close the circuits of said telephone instruments, another circuit having signaling instruments, and separate magnets on the last-mentioned circuit arranged to operate said circuit-closing devices in the telephone-circuits so that when an impulse is sentto a signaling instrument said impulse will simultaneously operate the corresponding magnets on the circuit in the calling and a called station to cause said magnets to close the circuits of the respective telephone instruments with their lines in a calling and a called station, substantially as set forth.

42. A telephone-circuit having a plurality of normally open branch circuits, telephone instruments on said branch circuits and contacts to close said branch circuits, and anothercircuit having magnets to operate said contacts to close the circuit of said branch lines in a calling and a called station respectively when said magnets are operated from any station, and other independently-operating devices to operate said contacts to break the circuits of said branch lines to cut the corresponding telephone instruments from the telephone-lines, substantially as set forth.

43. A telephone system comprising a plurality of stations, a telephone-circuit passing through said stations, normally open branch wires in said stations connected with said telephone-circuit, telephone instruments on said branch wires, electrically-operating devices in said stations arranged to close the circuits of said branch wires as desired, another circuit for said stations arranged to actuate said electrically-operating devices and the signaling instruments on said circuit in said stations, and means in each station arranged to select the station desired to be communicated with, all so arranged thatwhen an impulse is sent over the circuit to a signaling instrument it will also operate the devices for closing the circuit of the telephone instrument in the same station.-

44. A telephone system comprising a plurality of stations, a telephone-circuit passing through said stations, normally open branch wires in said stations, telephone instruments on said branch wires, electrically-operating devices in said stations arranged to close the circuits of said branch wires, as desired, to place the telephone instruments in circuit with the main line, another circuit for said stations arranged to actuate said electricallyope'rating devices, and signaling instruments on said circuit in said stations, the last-mentioned circuit and the electrically-operating devices located thereon, in said stations, being arranged so that when a current is sent over said cirouitthe signaling instrument in a station to be called will be operated, and so that said electrically-operating devices in a calling and a called station will also be operated to place the telephones in circuit with their line in both the calling and called stawires for the telephones, and another circuit for said stations arranged to be established through a coil of one polarity at one station and'through a coil of opposite polarity at another station to close the circuits through the branch telephonewvires in a calling and a called station to connect the corresponding telephones together,substantially as set forth.

46. A telephone system comprising a plurality of stations, a telephone-circuit, normally open branch wires therefrom in said stations, telephone instruments on said branch wires, contacts to close the circuit through said branch wires to place the telephones in circuit with their lines, another circuit for said stations,magnets on said circuit arranged to operate two of said contacts at a time in different stations to close the branch circuits through telephone instruments in two stations to connect them for telephone purposes, and a local circuit in each station having a magnet to operate the contacts of the branch wires to break the circuit of the telephones individually in the branch wires after they have been connected, substantially as set forth.

47. A telephone and signaling system comprising a plurality of stations, a telephone circuit for said stations, telephone instruments normally out of circuit with said telephonecireuit, another circuit for said stations, signaling instruments and other electrically-operating devices on said last-mentioned circuit in each station, the last-mentioned devices being arranged to close the circuits of the telephone instruments in a calling and a called station while an impulse from a calling-station is sent to the signaling instrument in the called station, another circuit for said stations having circuit-changing devices arranged to cut the signaling instruments in stations between a calling and a called station from the circuit an d to establish a through line between a calling and a called station, substantially as set forth.

48. A telephone and signaling system comprising a plurality of stations, a telephonecircuit for said stations, telephone instruments normally out of circuit with said telephone-circuit, another circuit for said stations, signaling instruments on said circuit, another circuit for said stations, electricallyoperating circuit-changing devices on said last mentioned circuit in each station arranged to be operated from any station to cut the signaling instruments from the circuit in intermediate stations and to establish a through line from a calling-station to the signaling instrument in a called station, and other electrically-operating devices 011 the circuit of the signaling instruments arranged to close the circuits of the telephones in a calling and a called station when an impulse is sent to the signaling instrument in a called station from a calling-station to place their respective telephone instruments in circuit, substantially as described.

the circuit it will place two of said telephone instruments simultaneously in circuit with the telephone-circuit, as desired, and a local open circuit foreach telephone comprising a magnet, battery, switch and wires arranged to break the circuit through the respective telephones to cut the telephones from circuit with their lines, substantially as set forth.

50. A telephone and signaling system comprising a plurality of stations, signaling instruments in said stations, the circuit for said stations being divided into sections in each station, means in each station arranged to be operated from any calling-station to cut out the respective signaling instrument from the circuit and to establish athrough line between a calling and a called station directly to the signaling instrument in the latter station, and a telephone-circuit for said stations having telephone instruments in said stations arranged for use when a calling-station has signaled to a called station, substantially as set forth.

51. A telephone and signaling system comprising a plurality of stations, signaling instruments in said stations, a circuit for said stations divided into sections in each station, means in each station arranged to be operated from any calling-station to cut out the respective signaling instrument from the circuit and to establish a through line between a calling and a called station to the signaling instrument in the latter station, and a telephone-circuit for said stations having telephone instruments normally out of circuit with the telephone-lines, and devices in said stations arranged to close the circuit of the telephone instruments with the telephonelines in a calling and a called station when an impulse is sent over the circuit from a calling-station to the signaling instrument in a called station, substantially as set forth.

52. A telephone and signaling system comprising a plurality of stations, signaling instruments in said stations, a circuit for said stations divided into sections in each station, means in each station to cut out the respective signaling instrument from the circuit and to establish a through line between a calling and a called station to the signaling instrument in the latter station, and a telephonecircuit for said stations having normally open branch wires in said stations, telephone instruments on said branch wires, electricallyoperating devices in said stations for closing said branch wires and arranged to close the branch wires in a calling and a called station when an impulse is sent over the circuit from a calling-station to the signaling instrument in a station to be called, and means for breaking said branch wires to cut the telephones from circuit with the main telephone-lines,

. circuit, another circuit for said stations having magnets arranged to restore the circuit of said signaling instruments, electrically-operating devices on the wiresl and 2 to close the last-mentioned circuit,and devices in each station arranged to close the circuit between the wires 1 and 2, and devices in each station to send the desired impulses along wire 2 to effect the changing of the sectional circuit into a through circuit between a calling and a called station, and devices in each station to send an impulse along wire 1 to give a signal in the called station, substantially as set forth.

54:. A circuit-operating device comprising a contact 33, to be connected with a line, a contact 35 to engage contact 33 and to be connected with another line, a contact a connected with the latter line, and an arm to cause contacts 33 and 35 to engage, and to also engage contact a, substantially as set forth. I

55. A circuit-operating device comprising a contact 33, a contact 35 to engage it, a contact 35 also arranged to engage contact 33, the contacts 35, 35,being connected together, a contact a, and an arm to cause contacts 35 and 35 to engage contact 33, and also to close a circuit through contact a, substantially as set forth.

56. A circuit-operatingdevice comprising a contact 33 connected with a switch, a contact to engage the contact 33, a contact a, and an arm to cause the second-mentioned contact to engage the contact 33, and also to close a circuit through the contact a,'substantially as set forth.

57. The combination of a wire 1, a wire 19 leading therefrom, a contact 33 in circuit with the wire 19, a contact 35 to engage the contact, 33, a wire 2, a wire 22 connected with wire 2 and with contact 35, a contact a connected with wire 2, and an arm adapted to cause contact 35 to engage contact 33 to close the circuit between wires 1 and 2, and to close the circuit of contact a with said arm, substantially as set forth.

58. The combination of a wire 1, a wire 19 leading therefrom, a contact 33 connected with wire -19, a contact 35 to engage contact 33, a wire 2, a wire 22, a contact 35 connected with wire 22 and with contact 35, contacts (t, b, c &c., also connected with wire 2,

and an arm to cause contacts 35 and 35 to engage contact 33, and to close the circuit of contacts a, b,c.with wire 2, substantially as set forth.

59. The combination of a wire 1, a wire 19 leading'therefrom, a contact 33, connected with wire 19, a contact 35 to engage contact 33, a wire 2, a wire 22, a contact 35 connected with wire 22 and with contact 35, contacts 01,1), 0, &c., also connected with wire 2,

an arm to cause contacts 35 and 35 to en-- gage contact 33, and to close the circuit of contacts a, b, c with wire 2, and a switch 34 connecting contact 33 with wire 19, substantially as set forth.

60. The combination of a wire 1, a wire 19 leading therefrom, a contact 33 connected with wire 19, a contact-35 to engage contact 33, a wire *2, a wire 22, a contact 35 connected with wire 22 and with contact 35, contacts a, b, c, &c., also connectedwith wire 2, an arm tocause contacts 35 and 35 to engage contact 33, and to close the circuit of contacts a, b, c, with wire 2, and a push-button or switch 18 also connected with wire 1, substantially as set forth.

61. A signaling system comprising a plurality of stations, a signaling instrument in each station, a circuit for said instruments divided into sections at said stations, devices in each station arranged to break the circuit of its signaling instrument and to join the sections of said circuit into a through circuit in each station, a magnet in each station to restore the circuit of thesignaling instrument and break the main circuit into sections, and a circuit for said magnets, substantially as set forth.

62. A circuit having a magnet 12, an armature 9 therefor, a contact 13 to be operated bysaid armature, a contact leading to ground to be engaged by the contact 13 to establish a ground for the magnet 12, an armature 10 arranged to be operated by the armature 9, a contact to be operated by the armature 10 to break said circuit, and another circuit having a magnet 36 to operate said contact to restore said circuit, as and for the purposes specified.

63. In a signaling system, a plurality of stations, a circuit for said stations divided into sections in each station, and electrically-operating devices in each station to partially join two sections of the circuit together when moving in one direction, a ground to hold the devices in this position, and means to break the circuit to cause said devices when moving back to completely join said two sections together to form a through circuit between two stations.

64. In a signaling system, a plurality of stations, a circuit divided into sections in each station, a signaling instrument in each station normally in circuit with the respective section of the circuit leading into its station, a contact 6 in each station to make and break the circuit of the respective signaling instrument, a contact 4 in each station IIO connected with the section of the circuit leading to the next station, a branch wire in each station to be connected with said contact :L'T, another contact 9 in each station normally connected with said branch wire and connected to the section of the circuit leading into its station, electrically-operatin g devices in each station to operate the contact 6 to break the circuit of the signaling instrument and to operate the contact 4 to join the branch wire to the section of the circuit leading to the next station, and likewise arranged to operate the contact .9 to temporarily break its connection with the branch Wire, and means in each station arranged to hold the contact 9 from circuit with the branch wire so long as the impulse or current which served to operate said contact is active, the devices being so arranged that when the impulse or current ceases the contact 9 will move to complete the circuit through the branch wire between two stations.

In testimony that I claim the invention above set forth I ailix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JAMES G. SMITH.

Vitnesses:

T. F. BOURKE, M. F. BOYLE. 

